The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor will ask them for any help)], - the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 and all the people of the earth, if that could deliver him. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 stripping away his skin, 16 calling him who drew back and turned away, 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35